Here are some of the local government stories emerging today.
Two former Wodonga Councillors passed away last week, including the first mayoress, first female councillor and first female mayor.
Current Mayor Kev Poulton has paid tribute to Pam Stone OAM who has died at the age of 93. She was first elected to the council in 1977.
Mayor Poulton has acknowledged the significant civic contribution of Ray O’Toole, a town clerk and CEO of the city in the 1980s, before being elected as councillor in 1997 and serving in that capacity for eight years.
Narrabri Shire Council in NSW has appointed a new General Manager. Robert Williams was appointed last week, and brings 15 years of CEO experience to the role having led two large councils in New Zealand.
The ABC is reporting that 10 of the 29 incumbent Mayors in Tasmania will not be contesting the upcoming elections in October. The latest mayor to announce he won’t be standing is Albert van Zetten of Launceston, joining the mayors of Devonport, Central Coast. Waratah-Wynyard and six others across the state bowing out at the end of the current term.
And Sydney’s Parramatta Council is set to consider new rules to allow more businesses to operate around the clock. According to the Sun-Herald (7-8-22, p.22) the new settings will apply to new development applications in areas including parts of the Parramatta CBD, and are a response to community feedback calling for an extension to trading hours.
More on these and other stories in our next Local Government News Roundup, coming Wednesday wherever you listen to podcasts – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association. Try asking your smart speaker to play the Local Government News Roundup.